Registration apparatus for silk screen printing machine



y 3, 1963 E. c. WEAVER 3,098,431

REGISTRATION APPARATUS FOR SILK SCREEN PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 3,1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

ELME/P C. WA VE/F GT5. 3 BY ATTORNEYS E. C. WEAVER July 23, 1963REGISTRATION APPARATUS FOR SILK SCREEN PRINTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed March 3, 1960 4 VNs INVENTOR.

EL MEI? c. W54 m? 4 TTOR/VEVJ July 23, 1963 E. c. WEAVER 3,098,431

REGISTRATION APPARATUS FOR SILK SCREEN PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 3,1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. fLMEz? C. W154 VEl? QWMV% ATTORNEYS nite3,698,431 Patented July 23, 1963 3,998,431 REGISTRATION APPARATUS FDRSllLK SCREEN PRlNTlING MACHlNE Elmer C. Weaver, Portage Township,Kalamazoo County,

Mich, assignor of one-half to Paul L. Lee and Georgia W. Lee, andone-half to Elmer C. Weaver and Emma D. Weaver Filed Mar. 3, 1960, er.No. 12,546 6 Claims. (Cl. 101-126) This invention relates in general toa highly accurate apparatus for adjusting the relative positions of twoconnected objects and, more particularly, to an apparatus for accuratelyand quickly adjusting the registration of the printing frame on a silkscreen printing machine with respect to a work sheet supported upon thebase structure of the machine.

The art of silk screen printing is very old and well understood. Thus,it is common knowledge that multicolored designs and signs can beapplied to sheet material by a silk screen printing machine. It isequally well known that each color or each new design is usually appliedto a group of work sheets by a different silk screen, which is generallymounted upon a frame. Accordingly, the screen frame is removably mountedupon the base structure of the printing machine so that it can beremoved and replaced. Moreover, the screen is usually supported upon thebase structure for movement between a substantially horizontal positionadjacent to the work sheet supporting table and a position spacedupwardly therefrom.

A common method and structure for supporting the individual silk screenframes includes a rectangular chase which is hingedly supported upon thebase structure of the machine adjacent to one edge of the work sheetsupporting table. The chase usually has four rigid side elements whichare arranged to form a rectangle and are connected together at theiradjacent ends, hence at the corners of the rectangle. The screen frameis held within the chase by various types of clamps, screws, bolts andthe like, which also serve to adjust the position of the silk screenwith re spect to the chase, hence to effect registration of the screenwith respect to the work table. There are other methods and structuresfor supporting the screen frame with respect to the remainder of thesilk screen printing machine. However, the above-described machine iswell suited to illustrate the problems which are commonly encountered ineffecting proper registration of successive screen frames on thoseexisting screen printing machines with which I am familiar.

Under normal circumstances, the registration of a screen frame withrespect to the work supporting table presently requires tediousadjustments and readjustments of a plurality of independent, closelyspaced adjusting devices connected between the chase and the screensupporting frame. Moreover, even after the screen frame appears to belocated in the proper position, further adjustment is often necessary toremove distortions which usually develop in the silk screen during thepositioning of the frame, and this often requires excessive set-up time,often more than an hour. More specific-ally, since neither the chase northe screen frame is absolutely rigid, adjustments of the screen framewith respect to the chase often result in distortions of the design ofthe screen. The distortion in the silk screen is removed by a trial anderror procedure, which is time consuming and often results in theproduction of several inaccurate work sheets which must be discarded.

During long delays resulting from such adjustments, the colorant maythicken and, therefore, require special treatment before it can beapplied. It is standard practice to place the partially colored worksheets on racks which are supported in spaced relationship to promotedrying and to prevent smearing. During long periods or adjustment, theseracks occupy space and thereby increase overhead even though the sheetswhich they support are dry and ready to receive another color.

It is well known that some sheet material, such as paper, will vary insize due to changes in weather conditions. If a protracted delay isinvolved in properly effecting registration of a new silk screen frame,the weather conditions may change sufficiently to seriously change thesize of the paper involved and thereby further complicate theoperations. Thus, a constant effort is always being made to reduce thetotal time required to complete the printing operation upon a particularset of Work sheets.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention has been the provisionof an apparatus whereby a silk screen frame can be quickly andaccurately mounted upon the base structure of a silk screen printingmachine so that the silk screen will be in accurate registration withthe work sheet or a previous design or configuration applied to the worksheet by a prior printing operation involving a different screen frame.

A further object of this invention has been the provi sion of anapparatus for elfecting registration, as aforesaid, which can be adaptedto existing silk screen printing machines of many types, shapes andsizes.

A further object of this invention has been the provision of aregistration apparatus, as aforesaid, which is capable of adjusting thesilk screen frame with respect to the Work sheet supporting table or,byvvery minor changes, is capable of adjusting the work table withrespect to the table supporting frame upon which the screen frame ishingedly supported.

A further object of this invention has been the provision of aregistration apparatus, as aforesaid, which is capable of effecting theaccurate registration of the screen frame without distorting in any waythe screen supporting frame, hence without distorting certain portionsof the screen.

A further object of this invention has been the provision ofregistration apparatus, as aforesaid, which is extremely simple inoperation, which requires little or no maintenance, which is equallyeffective for making large rough adjustments or small, extremelyaccurate adjustment, which is sturdy in structure, which requires aminimum of space, which is relatively small and light in Weight, whichcan be fabricated from metallic parts for easy cleaning, and which canbe constructed from standard parts, which, for the most part, areinterchangeable regardless of the size of the screen and machineinvolved.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will become apparent topersons familiar with this type of equipment upon reading the followingspecification and examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a fragment of a silk screen printingmachine including and illustrating a registration apparatus embodyingthe invention.

FIGURE 2 is a broken, top plan view of the registration apparatus shownin FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line IIIIII in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line VV in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of a screen engaging assemblyin the registration apparatus.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional View taken along the line VIIVII in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a silk screenprinting machine equipped with an alternate registration apparatusembodying the invention.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line IXIX inFIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional View taken along the line X-X in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of an alternate registration apparatus.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken along the line XII--XII of FIGUREl1.

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII of FIGURE11.

For convenience in description, the terms upper, lower and derivativesthereof will have reference to the apparatus of the inventionsubstantially as appearing in FIGURES 1 and 7. The terms front, rear andderivatives thereof will have reference to the printing machine asappearing in FIGURE 8, and substantially as appearing in FIGURE 1. Theterms inner, outer and derivatives thereof will have reference to thegeometric center of the apparatus embodying the invention and partsassociated therewith.

General Description The objects and purposes of the invention, includingthose set forth above, have been achieved by providing an apparatuscomprised of a pair of end brackets between and upon which an elongatedbar is supported. An elongated tube is sleeved upon the bar and cammeans mounted on said sleeve is arranged for engaging the bar and effecting relative lengthwise movement of said sleeve and said bar. A pair ofsupport members are adjustably mounted upon the sleeve and supportelements are adjustably mounted upon the support members. Cam means isprovided on the support members for effecting lengthwise movement of thesupport elements with respect to the support members and transversely ofthe sleeve. The support elements preferably have engaging means pivotally connected to the ends thereof remote from the support members.

As shown in the drawings, the above-described apparatus may be utilizedto effect registration between a silk screen frame and a sheet ofmaterial supported by the machine, of which the frame is a part. In oneform of the invention, an edge of the screen frame is gripped by theengaging means on the support elements, and the end brackets are mountedupon the work supporting table or the base structure of a substantiallyconventional, silk screen printing machine. Accordingly, the apparatusof the invention serves not only as a device for effecting registrationbetween the printing frame and the work sheet supported on the table,but also as a hinge mechanism whereby the screen frame is moveddownwardly into, and upwardly out of, a substantially horizontalposition adjacent to the upper surface of the work supporting table.

In another form of the invention, where the work supporting table ishorizontally movable with respect to its support structure and thescreen frame is hinged directly upon such support structure, the endbrackets are secured to the table and the support elements are securedto the frame of the support structure.

Accordingly, the apparatus of the invention may be used either to movethe screen frame with respect to the Work sheet or it may be used tomove the work supporting table, hence the work sheet, with respect tothe screen frame.

Detailed Construction The registration apparatus 110* (FIGURES 1 and 2),which has been selected to illustrate one preferred embodiment of theinvention, is disclosed herein, for illustrative purposes, incombination with a silk screen printing machine 11 having a horizontalwork supporting table 12 mounted upon a base structure 13. A screensupporting frame 16, which may be rectangular in shape and which has asilk screen 17 secured thereto, is hingedly mounted by means of saidapparatus 10 upon the table 12. The table 12, base structure 13 and thescreen frame 16 may be fabricated from conventional materials, such asWood or metal. The printing machine 11 is intended to support a worksheet 18 upon which a design, lettering or the like is applied by thescreen 17 in a substantially conventional manner.

The apparatus 10 (FIGURES l and 2) includes a pair of spaced,substantially identical end brackets 21 and 22 having flanges 23 and 24,respectively, which may be secured upon the upper surface of the table12 near one edge thereof :by means such as bolts, welding or the like.The brackets 21 and 22 have bosses 26 and 27 spaced upwardly from theflanges 23 and 24, respectively, and having coaxial openings 28 and 29(FIGURE 2) therethrough. A support shaft 32, which may be an elongatedcylindrical rod or tube, extends between the brackets 21 and 22, and theopposite ends of the shaft 32 are removably received into and throughthe openings 28 and 29 in said end brackets 21 and 22. A holding device,such as the set screw 33 shown in the boss 26 (FIGURE 1) of the bracket21, is provided on each end bracket for the purpose of securing theshaft 32 with respect to said brackets and providing adjustment of theapparatus to tables of various sizes.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, the support shaft 32 has a plurality ofuniformly spaced annular grooves 34 which are preferably located in thecentral portion of the shaft. An elongated sleeve 36, which may be ametal tube, is slidably and snugly supported upon the shaft 32 betweenthe end brackets 21 and 22 so that it covers at least some of thegrooves 34. A cylindrical housing 37, which is secured to and extendsupwardly from said sleeve 36, has a central post opening 38 which alsoextends through the adjacent portion of the sleeve 36.

A control post 39 (FIGURES 3 and 7) is snugly, rotatably and axiallyslidably disposed within the post opening 38 and is extendable into thesleeve 36. Said post 39 has an integral, eccentric pin 42 which extendsfrom the lower end of the post 39 for snug, but slidable reception intoany one of the grooves 34. A manually engageable handle 4-3 is securedto the upper end of the post '39, which extends above the cylindricalhousing 37 when the pin 42 is in one of the grooves 34. As shown inFIGURE 5, rotation of the post 39 by the handle 43 can effect an axialmovement of the sleeve 36 with respect to the support shaft 32 when thepin 42 is in a groove 34. The eccentricity of the pin 42 and the spacingof the grooves 34 are such that the pin 42 can be received into eitherone of any two adjacent grooves when the sleeve 36 is in certainpositions upon and along said shaft 32. Thus, by alternately rotatingand raising said post 39 and thereby moving said pin from one groove tothe next, the post 39 can effect a continuous movement of the sleeve 36lengthwise of the shaft 32 for a distance approximately equal to thedistance between the opposite ends of the group of grooves 34. It willbe seen that the grooves 34 could be replaced by transverse slotsuniformly spaced along the upper side of the shaft 32.

The post 39 (FIGURE 3) has between its upper and lower ends an annulargroove 45 which is wider than the length of said pin 42. The housing 37has a pair of diametrically opposed and radially disposed openings 40and 41 (FIGURE 7), which communicate with the post opening 38 and withthe annular groove 45. A U-shaped member 48, which is preferablyresilient and flexible, has a pair of opposing fingers 49 and 50 whichare extendable through the openings 40 and 41, respectively, and intothe groove 45 to limit axial movement of the post 39 to the amountnecessary to disengage the pin 42 from the slots 34.

A :boss 44 (FIGURE 3), which extends upwardly from sleeve 36 near thehousing 37, has a threaded opening 46 in which the thumb screw 47 isthreadedly received for engaging the support shaft 32 and therebylocking it against lengthwise movement with respect to the sleeve 36.

The apparatus (FIGURES 1 and 2) also includes a pair of adjustmentmembers 51 .and 52 which are mounted upon and adjustable lengthwise ofthe sleeve 36 to support screens of different sizes, and are preferablylocated on opposite sides of the cylindrical housing 37. Since theadjustment members '51 and 52 are substantially identical in thisparticular embodiment, a detailed disclosure of the front adjustmentmember 51 will be given herein, and such description will be understoodto apply in substances to the rear adjustment member 52.

The adjustment member 51 (FIGURES 4 and 6) includes a slide block 53which is substantially rectangular and slightly flattened in shape, andwhich has a transverse opening 54 through which the sleeve 36 isslidably receivable. The block 53 has a horizontal .slot 56 whichextends from one end thereof into the opening 54. A first bolt opening57 extends substantially vertically through the block 53 and penetratesthe slot 56. It will be understood that this specific reference tohorizontal" and vertical is for illustrative purposes only. The upperend of the bolt opening 57 has an enlarged portion 58 which is spacedfrom the slot 56 for reception of the head of the bolt 59. The part ofthe bolt opening 57 below the slot 56 is threaded for threadedengagement with the bolt 59. Thus, the portions of the block 53 aboveand below the slot 56 can be moved toward each other by tightening thebolt 59, whereby the sleeve 36 can be clamped within the sleeve opening54.

The slide block 53 (FIGURE 4) has .a lengthwise, subtantiallycylindrical and horizontal rod opening 62 which extends lengthwisethereof and is located below and transversely of the sleeve opening 54.An elongated support element 63, which may be a metal rod or bar, isslidably disposed within the opening 62 for movement lengthwise thereof.A thumb screw opening 64, which is adjacent to the bolt opening 59,extends downwardly through the block 53 and is threaded below the slot56 for threaded engagement by a thumb screw 66. The lower end of thethumb screw opening 64 communicates with the rod opening 62 so that thethumb screw 66 can be caused to engage the support element 63 within theblock 53 and prevent relative lengthwise movement therebetween.

The rear adjustment member 52 (FIGURES 1 and 2) includes a block 53ahaving a slot 56a and a rod opening 62a in substantially the same manneras set forth above with respect to the adjustment member 51. A supportelement 67, which is slidably supported within the rod opening 62a, ispreferably but not necessarily substantially identical to the supportelements 63.

Support element 63 (FIGURE 6) has a plurality of uniformly spaced,annular grooves 68 which are similar to the grooves 34 in the shaft 32.The block 53 (FIG- URE 4) has a vertical post opening 69 in which acontrol post 72 is rotatably, slidably and snugly disposed, the lowerend ofsaid post opening 69 communicating with the rod opening 62. Thelower end of the control post 72 has an integral, eccentric pin 73 whichis slidably, snugly and rotatably receivable into each of the grooves68, one at a time, for effecting advancement of the support element 63through the block 53 in small, accurate increments. The upper end of thecontrol post 72 has a manually engageable handle 75 whereby the post 72can be rotated or raised.

The block '53 has a pair of openings, such .as the opening 70 shown inFIGURE 1, which are preferably coaxial and extend through the block intothe post opening 69. A U-shaped member 71, which may be similar to theU-shaped member 48 (FIGURE 7) has end portions which are extendablethrough said openings 70 into an annular groove 74 (FIGURE 4) in thepost 72 to limit 6 its .axial movement in the manner stated above withrespect to the post 39.

The adjustment member 52. has a control post 72a (FIGURE 2), which maybe identical with the control post 72. Said post 72a has a manuallyengageable handle 75a and is held in the block 53a by a U-shaped springmember 71a.

A pair of frame clamps and 81 (FIGURES l and 2), which engage an edge ofthe screen frame 16, are mounted upon the outer ends of the supportelements 63 and 67, respectively. More specifically, the clamp 80 has apivot plate 77 which is pivotally disposed within a notch 76 (FIGURE 6)in the outer end lower surfaces of the element 63. A bolt 78 extendsupwardly through the opening 79 in the plate 77 and .a correspondingopening 82 is in the adjacent end of the support element 63 forengagement by a nut 83. The pivot plate 77 has a pair of spaced,integral hinge arms 86 and 87 (FIGURE 6) with coaxial, hinge pinopenings 88 and 89, respectively, through which the hinge pin 92 isslidably receivable. The opening 79 in the pivot plate 77 may beelongated slightly in a direction substantially parallel with the axisof the hinge pin openings 88 and 89 for the purpose of permitting somemovement of the pivot plate 77 with respect to the support element 63.The support element 63 (FIGURE 4) has a pair of substantially vertical,threaded openings 95 and 97 on opposite sides of the block 53 into whichthe adjustment thumb screws 98 and 100 are respectively and threadedlyreceived for engagement with the upper surface of the table 12 tocontrol the position of the hinge pin 92, hence its axis, with respectto the top of said table 12.

The frame clamp 80 (FIGURE 6) includes a lower jaw 93 having an integralhinge arm 94 extending from its rear end for snug, pivotable receptioninto the space between the hinge arms 86 and 87. Said hinge arm 94 has ahinge pin opening 96 through which the hinge pin 92 is slidably receivedfor hingedly supporting the lower jaw 93 upon the pivot plate 77.

The lower jaw 93 (FIGURE 6) has secured thereto an upwardly extendingscrew 99 which is substantially perpendicular to the frame engagingplate 102 on the jaw 93 and rearwardly thereof. The frame clamp 80 alsoincludes an upper jaw 103 having a frame engaging plate 104 with anintegral boss 106 which has a smooth bore opening 107 through which thescrew 99 is slidably received. The upper end of the screw 99 isengagedby a wing nut 108 for urging the upper jaw 103- downwardly towardthe lower jaw 93 when an edge of the screen frame 16 (FIGURE 1) isdisposed therebetween.

The frame clamp 81 (FIGURES l and 2), which is mounted upon the supportelement 67 and is preferably identical with the frame clamp 80, includesa pivot plate 77a, a lower jaw 93a, an upper jaw 103a and a screw 9911which are preferably, but not necessarily, substantially identical totheir counterparts in the frame clamp 80. Adjustment screws 98a and 100aare provided on the support element 67 for substantially the samepurposes as set forth above with respect to the adjustment screws 98 and1100.

Operation With the apparatus 10 mounted upon the table 12 of a printingmachine 11, substantially as shown in FIG- URE 1, said apparatus 10 canbe quickly and easily adjusted for engagement with, and subsequentcontrol over the operation of, a screen frame 16 of any size within theoperating limits of the table 12. For relatively wide screen frames, forexample, the adjustment members 51 and 52 are spaced a substantialdistance from each other to eltect a proper engagement and support ofthe screen frame by the frame clamps 80 and 81. Adjustment of themembers 51 and 52 along the sleeve 36 is easily and quickly effected byloosening the bolts 59 and 59a, sliding the adjustment members along thesleeve to the desired positions and then tightening the bolts. The wingnuts 168 and 108a on the frame clamps 80 and 81, respectively, areloosened sufficiently to permit the edge of the screen frame 16 to beinserted between the upper and lower jaws of each frame clamp. The wingnuts 108 and 188a are then tightened so that said screen frame is firmlygripped Within the clamps 80 and 81.

With the screen frame 16 resting upon the upper surface of the table 12,the thumbscrews 98 and 100 on support element 63 and the studs 98a and180a on element 67 are adjusted so that the hinge pins 92 and 92a, hencethe screen 17, are properly spaced from the work sheet 18 supported uponsaid table. Approximate registration of, the silk screen 17 with thework sheet 18, which has been properly located upon the table .12 bymeans including the stop element 112 (FIGURE 1), may be effected byfirst adjusting the sleeve 36 with respect to the shaft 32. That is, thethumb screw 47, which positively holds the sleeve 36 in a fixed positionupon support shaft 32, is loosened. The control post 39 is raised by thehandle 43 until the pin 42 is above, and out of engagement with, thesupport shaft 32. The U-shaped member 48 prevents accidentaldisengagement of the post 39 from the housing 37 during the upwardmovement thereof. The screen frame 16, the sleeve 36, the adjustmentmembers 51 and 52, and the frame clamps 86 and 81 can now be movedsimultaneously frontwardly or reanwardly of the table 12 along the shaft32 until the screen 17 is in approximate alignment with the work sheet18. The post 39' is now moved against the support shaft 32 and rotateduntil the pin 42 thereon is received into the groove 34- aligned withthe shaft opening 38. Accordingly, the control post 39 is now positionedfor effecting small accurate adjustments of the screen frame 16 alongthe shaft 32.

However, before effecting such adjustments by means of post 39, thescreen 17 is aligned approximately with the work sheet in a directiontoward or away from the sleeve 36. That is, the set screws 66 and 66aare loosened in the blocks 53 and 53a so that the support elements 63and 67 can be moved with respect to said blocks 53 and 53a. Both of thecontrol posts 72 and 72a are raised by the control handles 75 and 75a sothat their respective pins, such as the pin 73 and the post 73, aredisengaged from the elements 63 and 67, respectively. The U-shapedmembers 71 and 71a prevent accidental disengagement of the posts 72 and72a from their respective blocks 53 and 53a. The screen frame .16, theclamps 80 and 81, and the support elements 63 and 67 can now be easilymoved toward and away from the sleeve 36.

Alternatively, one of the posts 72 and 72a at a time can be raisedwhereby first one side and then the other side of the screen frame 16can be adjusted with respect to the sleeve 36 until said frame is insaid approximate alignment with the work sheet 18. The pivotalconnection of the pivot plates 77 and 77a with the support elements 63and 67 permits limited pivotal movement of the screen frame 16 around avertical axis during such adjustment. The posts 72 and 72a are nowcaused to engage the elements 63 and 67 so that the eccentric pin 73 onpost 72 is disposed in a slot 68 in element 63, and post 72a issimilarly engaged with the element 67.

After the approximate adjustment has been thusly made between the screenframe 16 and the Work sheet 18, the control posts 39, 72 and 72a arerotated by their respective handles 43, 75 and 75a to effect the finalaccurate adjustment of the silk screen 17 with respect to the work sheet18 disposed directly below the screen. It will be seen that suchadjustment can be effected accurately without distorting the screenframe 16 or the silk 17 supported thereby. The adjustment studs 98, 98a,100 and 100a may now require further adjustment so that the lower jaws93 and 93a will be at the proper distance above the table top 12 toeffect the desired movement of the screen frame '16 around the hingepins 92 and 92a into and out of the horizontal position. In thisparticular case, the sleeve 36 can rotate upon the shaft 32 to permitsuch adjustment of the position of the elements 63 and 67. How ever,such movement can also be permitted by loosening the shaft 32 in thebrackets 21 and 22, or by loosening the support blocks 53 and 53a uponthe sleeve 36. The set screws 47, 66 and 66a are how tightened so thatthe sleeve 36 is locked with respem to the support shaft 32 and thesupport elements 63 and 67 are locked with respect to the sleeve 36.

The printing machine .11 is now in condition for operation wherein theframe 16 is first moved upwardly around the hinge axis of the hinge pins92 and 92a so that a work sheet 18 can be located upon the table top 12by means including the stop element 112. The screen frame 16 is thenlowered into position adjacent to the upper surface of the worksheet 18and a liquid colorant or the like is applied to the upper surface of thescreen 17 in a substantially conventional manner for the purpose ofprinting the worksheet.

When it becomes desirable or necessary to remove or replace the screenframe 16, such can be effected quickly and easily by loosening the frameclamps and 81. If the screw frame then replaced by another screen frame,the above operations whereby accurate registration is accomplished, arerepeated. After a printing machine operator has used the apparatus 10 afew times he can easily learn to place the screen frame 16 into theclamps 80 and 81 so that the approximate alignment of the frame with thework sheet is generally unnecessary, particularly Where screen frames ofthe same size are being exchanged. In such case, proper adjustment canbe effected by loosening the set screws 47, 66 and 66a, by properlyrotating the handles 43, 75 and 75a, and then tightening the set screws47, 66 and 66a.

It will be observed that large adjustments of the frame can be made inthe horizontal directions by alternately rotating the posts 39, 72. and72a and moving their respective pins from one slot to the next along theshaft 32 and elements 63 and 67, respectively.

It is well known that, in some printing machines, the screen supportingframe is removably and adjustably supported in and upon a chase or outerframe which is hingedly mounted upon the table or base structure of themachine, as shown in FIGURE 8. In such case, the frame clamps 80 and 81(FIGURE 1) may be substantially permanently attached to the chase which,in general, will have the same size and shape as the frame 16 appearingin FIGURE 1. The screen 17, instead of being directly connected to thechase, is mounted upon a smaller, separate frame which is supportedwithin the chase in a conventional manner. The chase, hence the screenframe supported thereby, will normally be in approximate alignment withthe worksheet. Accordingly, accurate registration of the silk screenwith the worksheet, which has been the real problem in prior machines,can be quickly and easily accomplished by the apparatus 18 as set forthabove.

Alternate Structures The alternate registration apparatus (FIGURES 8 and9) is designed for use with a silk screen printing machine 121 having arectangular, screen supporting chase 122 which is hingedly supportednear one edge thereof upon one edge of the rectangular frame at the topof the support base 123. A table top 124 is mounted on said frame 125for movement in a substantially horizontal direction beneath said chase.The table top 124 is supported upon bearing balls 138 which are mountedupon support pads 131 secured in the corners of the frame 125.

A table lock 135 (FIGURE 10) may be mounted upon one edge of the frame125 for engaging the table top 124 and holding it against movement withrespect to the frame 125. The lock 135 includes a clamp plate 135aconnected to the top 124 by a screw 135k for the purpose of engaging theframe 125 to effect said holding of the table top 124 with respect tosaid frame 125. As shown in FIGURE 9 the frame 125 has a frame element126 which is adjacent to the lower surface of the table top 124 andextends transversely of the hinge axis of the chase 122.

The alternate apparatus 126 (FIGURE 9) includes a pair of end brackets127 and 128, and a support shaft 129 extending between and supportedupon said end brackets. The brackets and shaft may be substantiallyidentical to the end brackets 21 and 22 and support shaft 32,respectively, in FIGURE 1. The end brackets 127 and 128 are secured tothe lower surface of the table top 124 adjacent to the front edge of theprinting machine 121. A sleeve 132, which may be substantially identicalto the sleeve 36, is supported upon a shaft 129 between the end brackets127 and 128.

A control post 133 (FIGURE 8), which may be similar both in structureand operation to the control post 39, is supported in a cylindricalhousing 134 for the purpose of effecting relative movement between thesleeve 132 and support shaft 129. The post 133 has a handle 136 on itsouter end and an eccentric pin (not shown) on its inner end forengagement with slots (not shown) in the shaft 129 for effecting saidrelative movement. The post 133 extends downwardly from the sleeve 132where the handle 136 can be easily and manually engaged at the front ofthe machine. The set screws 141 and 142, which may be similar infunction to the set screw 33, have elongated shanks with manuallyengageable handles 143 and 144 at their lower ends.

The alternate apparatus 120 (FIGURE 9) includes a pair of adjustmentmembers 14-6 and 147 which are adjustably supported upon the sleeve 132and which may be substantially identical to the adjustment members 51and 52. Control posts 148 and 148a having handles 149 and 149a,respectively, are supported in the blocks 151 and 151a. Support elements152 and 153, which may be substantially identical to the elements 63 and67, extend through openings in the blocks 151 and 151a for en gagementby said posts. The outer ends of the support elements 152 and 153 arenotched to engage a pair of links 154 and 156, respectively. The link154 is pivotally connetced to the outer end of the support element 152by the pin bolt 157 and rigidly secured to the frame element 126 on thesupport base 123 by bolts 158. The link 156 is pivotally connected bothto the support element 153 and to the frame element 126 by the bolts 159and 161, respectively.

Operation of the alternate registration apparatus 120 is substantiallythe same as the operation of the apparatus 111, except that theapparatus 121) shifts the table top 124 with respect to the support base123 upon which the chase 122 is hingedly mounted. Accordingly, with aworksheet supported upon the table top 1 24 and with the chase 122adjacent thereto, adjustment of the table 124 toward and away from thehinge axis of the chase 122 is effected by loosening the set screws 141and 142 and turning the handle 136, after which the set screws 141 and142 are tightened. Adjustment of the table top 124 in a directionparallel with the hinge axis of the chase 122 is effected by looseningset screws held in the blocks 151 and 151a for engaging support elements152 and 153, and then rotating one or both of the handles 143 and 144,after which said set screws are tightened.

U-shaped spring members 162, which are removably mounted upon the posthousing 134 and the blocks 151 and 151a, may be identical to, and servesubstantially the same purposes as, the members 48, 71 and 71a in theapparatus 11 Thus, the members 162 will positively prevent accidentalremoval of the posts 133, 148 and 148a from the remainder of theapparatus 1211. Removal of the spring members 162, and subsequentremoval of the posts associated therewith, is effected by spreadingapart the free ends of the spring members 162.

It will follow from the above description of the alternate apparatus121), that a further alternate arrangement can be provided wherein theend brackets 127 and 128 are 19 rigidly held with respect to the supportbase 123 and the support elements 152 and 153 are connected to the tabletop 124 by appropriate links to provide an arrangement similar to theapparatus 120.

The alternate registration apparatus 166 appearing in FIGURES 11 and 12is similar to the apparatus 10 appearing in FIGURE 1 and is capable ofcarrying out at least the essential, if not all of the, objects andpurposes of the invention by means of a structure which is slightly lesscomplicated and possibly less costly than the structure of the apparatus11 More specifically, the alternate registration apparatus 166 includesa support shaft 167 adjustably mounted upon and between a pair of endbrackets 168 and 169, in a manner generally similar to that describedwith respect to the shaft 32 and end brackets 21 and 22.

A pair of sleeve 171 and 172 (FIGURE 11) are slidably supported upon theshaft 167 which has a plurality of uniformly spaced, annular grooves173. The sleeves 171 and 17 2 are engageable at their adjacent ends andare encircled at their remote ends by a pair of locking collars 174 and176. The sleeves 171 and 172 each have a pair of lengthwise,diametrically disposed slots in their remote ends as indicated by theslot 177 (FIGURE 11) in sleeve 171. Screws 178 and 179 are threadedlyreceived through threaded openings in the locking collars 174 and 176for engagement with the adjacent portions of the shaft 167.

The sleeve 172 (FIGURE 13) has an upstanding, hollow cylinder 181secured thereto and communicating with the interior of the sleeve. Acontrol post 182, having an eccentric pin 183 extending from its lowerend, is rotatably supported within said cylinder so that said pin 183 isextendable into one of the grooves 173 in the manner set forth in detailabove with respect to the control post 39 and parts associatedtherewith.

A pair of substantially parallel and advantageously identical tubes 184and 136 are rigidly secured, as by welding, near one end of each to thelower sides of the sleeves 171 and 172, respectively, so that said tubesextend transversely of and in the same direction from said shaft. Thetube 134 (FIGURE 12) has an upright, hollow cylinder 187 thereoncommunicating with the interior of the tube. The control post 188 isrotatably supported within said cylinder 187 so that the pin 191 at thelower end thereof is extendable into the tube 184.

An elongated support element 132 (FIGURE 12) is slidably supportedwithin the tube 184 and has a plurality of uniformly spaced, annulargrooves 194 into which the pin 191 is receivable for effectinglengthwise movement of the element 192 in response to rotation of thecontrol post 188. The outer end of the sleeve 171, which has a pair ofdiametrically disposed, horizontal slots 196, is encircled by a lockingcollar 197. A thumb screw 199 is threadedly received through a threadedopening in the collar 197 for engagement with the tube 184 whereby thesupport element 192 is clamped Within the tube 134. The support element192 may be connected at its outer end to an engaging device, such as theframe clamp 202, which may be identical to the clamp 80, for the purposeof engaging the edge of a printing frame 2114.

The tube 186 (FIGURE 11) supports a control post 189', support element193, a collar 1%, thumb screw 201 and frame clamp 203 which may be, andpreferably are, substantially identical to the corresponding partsmounted upon the tube 134, as discussed above, both in structure andoperation.

After the brackets 168 and 169 have been mounted upon a structure, suchas the table 12 shown in FIGURE 1, the shaft 167 is then locked in placewith respect to said brackets by means, such as a set screw, not shown.The screws 178 and 179 (FIGURE 11) are then loosened so that the sleeves171 and 17 2 can be moved along the shaft 167 until the clamps 2112 and2113 are properly located with respect to the screen frame 264 which isthen engaged by the clamps 2%.? and 203. By appropriate rotation of thecontrol post 182, the sleeve 172, the sleeve 171 and the frame 204 aremoved lengthwise of the shaft 167 until proper registration of the frame204 is obtained in that direction. The screws 1'78 and 1'79 are nowtightened whereby the encircled portions of the sleeves 1'71 and 172 arecaused to grip and thereby become fixed with respect to the shaft 167.

After loosening the screws 19% and 201, similar adjustment of thesupport elements 192 and 1 3 lengthwise of the tubes 184 and 135 iseffected by rotating the control posts 188 and 189. By this action, theframe 2% is moved toward or away from the shaft 167. When properregistration of the frame 294 is obtained in this direction, the screws199 and v261 are tightened whereby the position of the frame 204 withrespect to the shaft 167 is fixed.

The frame 264 is now in accurate registration and can be moved into andout of a substantially horizontal position by pivotal movement aroundthe hinges in the clamps 2&2 and 2&3 in a manner substantially as setforth with respect to the corresponding operation of the frame 16 inFIGURE 1.

Under some circumstances, and particularly where automatic orsemi-automatic printing machines are involved, it may be desinable tohave a chase which is permanently and hingedly connected to the basestructure of the ma chine. In such case, it may be desirable to mountthe apparatus 166 upon the chase and connect the clamps 202 and 2&3 to ascreen frame supported in the chase.

Although particular, preferred embodiments of the invention have beendisclosed in detail above for illustrative purposes, it will beunderstood that other variations or modifications of such disclosure,which lie within the scope of the appended claims, are fullycontemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a silk screen printing machine having a base structure supportinga substantially horizontal top member and having a screen frame movableinto and out of a position adjacent to and parallel with said topmember, an apparatus for effecting registration of said screen framewith .a worksheet supported upon said top member, comprising: a pair ofbrackets rigidly secured to said base structure near one edge thereof; asupport shaft supported upon and between said brackets; an elongatedsleeve supported upon said support shaft between said brackets formovement lengthwise of said shaft; first manually operable cam meanssupported upon said sleeve and engaged with said shaft for effectingrelative lengthwise movement therebetween, said first cam means i11-cluding a first post rotatably supported upon said sleeve transverselythereof, said first post having an eccentric pin extending axially fromone axial end thereof, and a plurality of spaced, transverse grooves insaid support shaft into which said eccentric pin is selectively androtatably received; a pair of spaced support members mounted upon saidsleeve; a pair of elongated, substantially parallel support elementsslidably and respectively supported upon said support members forlengthwise movement transversely of said shaft; second manually operablecam means mounted upon each support member and engageable with saidsupport elements for effecting said lengthwise movement thereof, saidsecond cam means including a pair of second posts respectively androtatably supported upon said members, said second posts each having aneccentric pin extending axially from one axial end thereof and amanually engageable handle at the other end thereof, and a plurality ofspaced transverse grooves in each support element into which theeccentric pin on the corresponding second post is selectively androtatably received; and engaging means pivotally secured to the extendedends of said support elements and connected to one of the screen frameand the top member.

2. In a printing machine having a base structure and a worksheetengaging member supported upon said base structure for movement withrespect thereto, an apparatus for accurately positioning said memberwith respect to said structure, comprising: a support shaft; meansincluding a pair of spaced brackets connected to said shaft andsupported upon one of the structure and the member; sleeve meanssupported upon said shaft for axial movement with respect thereto; firstcam means on said shaft adjacent said sleeve; first eccentric meansrotatably mounted upon said sleeve means and engageable with said firstcam means so that rotation of said eccentric means effects relativelengthwise movement between said shaft and said sleeve; 21 pair ofsupport members mounted upon said sleeve means; a pair of elongated,substantially parallel support elements mounted upon and extending fromsaid support members for lengthwise movement transversely of the shaft;second cam means on each of said support elements; second eccentricmeans rotatably mounted upon each of said support members and engageablewith said second cam means so that rotation of said second eccentricmeans effects said movement of said support elements; and engaging meansconnecting the extended ends of said support elements to the other ofsaid structure and said member.

3. In a silk screen printing machine having a base structure supportinga substantially horizontal top member and having a screen frame movableinto and out of a position adjacent to and parallel with said topmember, an apparatus for effecting registration of said screen framewith a worksheet supported upon said top member, comprising: a pair ofbrackets rigidly secured to said base structure near one edge thereof; asupport shaft supported upon and between said brackets; sleeve meanssupported upon said support shaft between said brackets for movementlengthwise of said shaft; first cam means ecured to said shaft withinsaid sleeve; first manually operable means rotatably mounted upon saidsleeve means for movement around an axis transverse of said shaft, saidmanually operable means having eccentric pin means engageable with saidfirst cam means so that rotation of said manually operable means aroundsaid axis effects relative lengthwise movement between said shaft andsaid sleeve; a pair of spaced support members mounted upon said sleeve;a pair of elongated, substantially parallel support elements slidablyand respectively supported upon said support members for lengthwisemovement with respect to said support members and transversely of saidshaft; second cam means secured to each of said support elementsadjacent to said support members; second manually operable meansrotatably mounted upon each of said support members for movement aroundaxes transverse respectively of said support elements, said secondmanually operable means having eccentric pin means respectivelyengageable with said second cam means so that rotation of said secondmanually operable means around said axes effects said movement of saidsupport elements with respect to said sup port members; and engagingmeans secured to the extended ends of said support elements andconnected to one of the screen frame and the top member, said engagingmeans including pivot means.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said engaging means is connected tosaid screen frame and includes hinge means for effecting hinged movementof said screen frame; wherein said sleeve is rotatably supported uponsaid shaft; and including adjustment means mounted upon each of saidsupport elements and engaged with said top member for adjusting thepositions of said support elements around said shaft and with respect tosaid top member.

5. The structure of claim 3 wherein said screen frame is hingedlymounted upon said base structure near one edge of said top member formovement into and out of a substantially horizontal position adjacent tothe' upper surface of the top member; wherein said top member is 13horizontally movable with respect to said base structure; wherein saidbrackets are secured to the lower surface of said top member, and saidengaging means on said support elements are secured to said basestructure.

6. The structure of claim 3 wherein said brackets are secured to one ofsaid top member and said base struccure, and said engaging means issecured to the other of said top member and base structure; andincluding lock means on said base structure for holding said top memberwith respect thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS836,814- Klaczko Nov. 27, 1906 Moats Oct. 11, Flockhart Dec. 19,Stockman Nov. 19, Lawrence Mar. 30, Podgor Apr. 14,

FOREIGN PATENTS Australia Dec. 5,

3. IN A SILK SCREEN PRINTING MACHINE HAVING A BASE STRUCTURE SUPPORTINGA SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL TOP MEMBER AND HAVING A SCREEN FRAME MOVABLEINTO AND OUT OF A POSITION ADJACENT TO AND PARALLEL WITH SAID TOPMEMBER, AN APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING REGISTRATION OF SAID SCREEN FRAMEWITH A WORKSHEET SUPPORTED UPON SAID TOP MEMBER, COMPRISING: A PAIR OFBRACKETS RIGIDLY SECURED TO SAID BASE STRUCTURE NEAR ONE EDGE THEREOF; ASUPPORT SHAFT SUPPORTED UPON AND BETWEEN SAID BRACKETS; SLEEVE MEANSSUPPORTED UPON SAID SUPPORT SHAFT BETWEEN SAID BRACKET FOR MOVEMENTLENGTHWISE OF SAIDVSHAFT; FIRST CAM MEANS SECURED TO SAID SHAFT WITHINSAID SLEEVE; FIRST MANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTED UPON SAIDSLEEVE MEANS FOR MOVEMENT AROUND AN AXIS TRANSVERSE OF SAID SHAFT, SAIDMANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS HAVING ECCETRIC PIN MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAIDFIRST CAM MEANS SO THAT ROTATION OF SAID MANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS AROUNDSAID AXIS EFFECTS RELATIVE LENGTHWISE MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID SHAFT ANDSAID SLEEVE; A PAIR OF SPACED SUPPORT MEMBERS MOUNTED UPON SAID SLEEVE;A PAIR OF ELONGATED, SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL SUPPORT ELEMENTS SLIDABLYAND RESPECTIVELY SUPPORTED UPON SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS FOR LENGTHWISEMOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS AND TRANSVERSELY OF SAIDSHAFT; SECOND CAM MEANS SECURED TO EACH OF SAID SUPPORT ELEMENTSADJACENT TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS; SECOND MANUALLY OPERABLE MEANSROTATABLY MOUNTED UPON EACH OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS FOR MOVEMENT AROUNDAXES TRANSVERSE RESPECTIVELY OF SAID SUPPORT ELEMENTS, SAID SECONDMANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS HAVING ECCENTRIC PIN MEANS RESPECTIVELYENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SECOND CAM MEANS SO THAT ROTATION OF SAID SECONDMANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS AROUND SAID AXES EFFECTS SAID MOVEMENT OF SAIDSUPPORT ELEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS; AND ENGAGINGMEANS SECURED TO THE EXTENDED ENDS OF SAID SUPPORT ELEMENTS ANDCONNECTED TO ONE OF THE SCREEN FRAME AND THE TOP MEMBER, SAID ENGAGINGMEANS INCLUDING PIVOT MEANS.